Bertha E. Jaques, born Covington, OH - Volendam - ca. 1923 - T-Shirt

This 1923 etching by Bertha E. Jaques turns the Dutch fishing village of Volendam into a quiet study of harbor life and traditional architecture.

Visual Elements & Composition

The image is built from fine etched lines rather than solid color, so the village takes shape through density of line. Shading and hatching define the traditional houses and the working waterfront. The harbor and buildings occupy the center of the composition and carry the most visual weight, with the surrounding space kept open.

Meaning & Symbolism

Volendam drew many international artists in the early twentieth century, and it stood for a simpler, pre-industrial way of life that contrasted sharply with rapid American urban growth. Jaques documents the daily rhythms of the fishing community and its unchanged architecture, expressing continuity and a nostalgic regard for European customs. As a founding member of the Chicago Society of Etchers and a central figure in the American Etching Revival, she used this subject to show her command of the medium, drawing on her travels across Europe.

On the Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee

Etching rewards close looking, and its fine lines resolve most clearly when a viewer stands near. On a tee, the print is seen at conversation distance, where the hatching and the harbor's details come into focus as the wearer moves. The scene's calm, timeless mood suits an everyday shirt, carrying a piece of early American printmaking into ordinary days.